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Philippines to send 43 humanitarian contingent replacements to Iraq

PLA Daily 2004-02-20

MANILA, Feb. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- The Philippine government announced Thursday it would send 43 humanitarian contingent replacements to Iraq next week despite 12 Filipinos were hurt in recent suicide car-bombing attacks there.

The team will be deployed on Feb. 22 to replace those who are scheduled to return to the country at the end of the month, said acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Rafael Seguis in a news conference.

"Our policy has not changed. There will be no withdrawal of troops. In fact, we will send the 43 humanitarian contingent replacements on Feb. 22," he said.

The Philippines currently has a 96-member humanitarian contingent in Iraq, whose stay in the war-ravaged country was originally set for six months by the military's initial plan. But the government decided to extend their stay for another six months last month.

Those who will be replaced are 14 soldiers, 18 policemen and 11doctors and nurses while the remaining 53 contingent members have to stay in Iraq until the mission is over, Seguis said.

Meanwhile, Seguis said the 12 Filipinos, who suffered superficial wounds by broken window pieces as double suicide car bombs attacked their dwelling in a Polish logistics base south of Baghdad on Wednesday, have been out of danger now.

"They were brought to a medical clinic for multiple abrasions in the face, shoulders, upper and lower extremities and were declared out of danger after treatment," he said.